Another Crosby Addition

This one to replace our dear Scamper who went missing after jumping from the top of my vehicle at high speed. Meet...

Whistle

We acquired Whistle from the Cat Lady at the Animal Allies of Texas. The Cat Lady was very excited to see someone with lots of young children take Whistle, as to her, he is very playful. (I'll have to share a story of the Cat Lady's sticky, furry fingers at a later time. Quite entertaining. ) Back to Whistle. We waited a few months to replace Scamper with hopes of her return still lingering. Last week however, we became direly in need of another feline as our garage has been taken hostage by LOTS of furry little rodents- MICE! Lets hope that Whistle can fill at least some of the void Scamper left behind...and rid our garage of the mice too!

Not so distant past...

I was introduced to this 'must' on the day of a Homecoming in Texas.

"Isn't she too young?" Dave asked as he pulled out of the driveway with his 2nd grade daughter, en route to school. Guess not, so I have been told. Everything seems bigger in Texas, including these 'mums' they wear. This is nothing compared to those in High School, I am told. Until MQ is old enough, I can wait...

We did happen upon something that isn't bigger in Texas...

Yes, it speaks big, "The Monster Maze!" It was, however VERY deceiving! It took us much longer to drive to this "Monster Maze" than it did to conquer it. Fortunately, we were of but a few visitors on this particular day. I just hope that they didn't hear our children complain, "That's it! A baby could have done that!" After we emerged a whole five minutes after entering the "Monster Maze". For most of it, Dave was taller than most of the corn stalks. We did encounter some interesting things along our way...

Sensing our disappointment in the maze, Farmer Joe, in true southern hospitality, hopped right over and offered us a complimentary hay ride which was immediately followed by pig races. He was quite entertaining. Dave and I decided that our money was well spent. Not because of the maze but because of Joe's desires to make our trip worth it. Maybe we will return next year when Hurricane Ike won't have wiped out most of the corn.

Cavers

When we arrived in Texas two years ago I had three children scared to death of any moving thing smaller than a kitten. Forward to the present day. MQ spent several hours outdoors this afternoon playing with her new pet, Cavers. Cavers is a cricket. He earned the name after successfully escaping a caved in sand tunnel, alive. The kids were very proud of the critter and thus he earned 'pet' status.

Cavers was also given a special ride in a car. MQ thought that it was so funny that he didn't want to sit in his seat but rather ride on the door. And what a ride he got!!

I love cheap entertainment! On a more serious note, and mostly to my fellow Texans, how on earth do you keep these nasty creatures outdoors? Fortunately, I no longer scream when I see one, (kay, so I did scream when one was on my arm the other day, in front of MQ's second grade class during a picnic outside. The kids thought it was hilarious that I freaked out!), but I still REALLY don't like them in my home, and they love inviting themselves inside. Any ideas?

Another Note: My hubby returns tomorrow! We have missed him but filled the time with football and soccer games, karate, parties, Footloose, and life. It will be SO good to have him home again...for a week.

I love that my nine year old boy still enjoys playing in the sand with his siblings, even if he just finished feeding crickets to our turtles.

First year, MQ isn't a cat for Halloween. Now she is a witch with a black cat resting on her shoulder!

Mixed Emotions

This is my baby...minus two teeth. They came out one right after another. The mixed emotions come from his mommy being sad about the end of an era while watching her youngest thrilled at the prospect of his first visit from the tooth fairy.

Target Practice

Living in Texas brings with it space. Space for hunting, fishing, camping, running...which can be a boys paradise. Last week, SH went with some friends and shot a rifle for the first time (under adult supervision). We hear about it incesantly.

Yesterday, Dave guided AP as he shot the BBGun for the first time. Pookie was in heaven.


Today- Cub Scout fishing tournament. SH was intent on getting the biggest, fattest fish. His competitive spirit shining brightly. Somehow his desire only lastest for about 10 minutes, the same time the turtles in the lake started poking their heads out of the water. A fresh target for SH. Loosing interest in them only when the ducks paddled close enough to aim for. As this is going on, I notice boys fishing nearby pack up and move to another spot, only to be replaced by an innocent new group of boys.


Another little while and SH is joined by his equally loud and energetic buddy, Ian. With him, comes live bait, worms. The boys proceed to test the stretching power of the harmless animals, not understanding that to attract the fish, quiet voices are needed. Meanwhile, our second set of neighbors abandon their spot.

Some action finally! SH's line gets pulled. It's a big one! He hands it to me for help. We pull and tug, attracting back those who left. Interested in our catch. Disappointment rears though when out of the water comes a dirty plastic grocery bag pulling water. Embarrashed that I wanted a picture with his catch SH drops it on the ground nearby. I was proud though, we were at least doing our part in helping to keep the environment clean, SH wasn't impressed with my rationalization. "No awards for that, mom".

One last catch before giving in for the day- the tree branch overhead.It now displays a nice red and white bobbin and 1/4 of an abused worm which I am sure is happy to be out of reach of two 9 year olds!!!

Numbers

As simple as I would like my life to be...sometimes...simple is just not in the equation. Maybe due to the blur of activity, lack of sleep, stress, etc. I find numbers running through my head. I am, as most are aware, a concrete, black and white person. Numbers fit that bill. They are very solid and reliable for a person like me. So, my blog tonight consists of some of these numbers that are floating around up there... and hopefully it will explain a little of our lives the last while.

53
The speed at which I was driving when our cat, Scamper, hurled herself from the top of the SUV.

13,564
Pictures I accidently uploaded on my ipod before heading to Idaho.

8
Flights Dave and I have taken over the past 2 weeks.

4
Unexpected days spent in the hospital with my mom.

3
Goals Pookie scored in each of his first two soccer games.

1
Karate graduation for Bubba who leveled up to a Green Belt.

2
Lessons Sis successfully completed in Piano. She really enjoys it.

12
Work days Dave has under his belt, back at Microsoft.

103
Kisses for Pookie before he would let me leave his side tonight.

5
Family members who made it to Dallas to visit- if only for a short while!

43
Kids who made me one proud Primary President on Sunday. The Sacrament Program was wonderful!

3
Women who I am priveledged to work with in the Presidency, You are amazing!

1
Tough Cookie for a Mom! You are the best example!

1
Husband who patiently deals with his busy, stressed, emotional wife. My hero!

Countless
Times I need to be reminded of all that I have to be grateful for.

258
bubbles I counted on Dave's screen saver the other night before I realized it was way past my bedtime...just like now...

2
Number of Nighttime Alkaseltzers I took to help ease the pressure in my head from my head cold....

I am fading...the numbers are floating away...good nighhhhhttttttttt

Bubba in karate

Lots of room for growth in that uniform!

Loved having the Pace's share a hot Dallas afternoon with us.

Why I Love America and Texas

My second grader came home from school with a paper. It read...

Today we remembered 911 in a safe and honorable way. I reminded them that we are free because of our brave men and women going to battle and our brave President leading the way. I told them we are Safe, Strong, and Steady. Parents: Please discuss with your child the importance of freedom. Please talk about the day of 9-11 and where and what you were doing and thinking. Student: Please write down 3 "Special Feeling Words" about our country. Please also draw 1 symbol representing the USA.

As I sat reading this, I got teary eyed. I love that in Texas, it isn't bad to be patriotic. I love that in Texas, my children are taught about 9/11- it isn't forgotten. I love that in Texas, we still pray at rodeos :). I love that in Texas, the school children start each day with a moment of silence (where they are allowed to pray if they chose). And I love that in Texas, there are restrictions to the size of belt buckles allowed at school!

Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of akwardness that comes with living in Texas, or should I narrow that down to Forney. How about the neighbor that mows her grass in the dead of night (sure she has a headlight, but really lady, you just mowed two days ago...and grass doesn't grow that fast here!)? Or the sweet old man in the doctors office waiting room, reading the magazine upside down. He was really into the article and was distraught when the nurse called him back. Or how about our own little statue of liberty...yes, Pookie thinks it's the real deal. But you can't deny the Patriotic nature of those around town.

Since moving here two years ago, I have been impressed at the support our military men and women get from the Texan people. So, on this 7 year anniversary, I hope that we all stop to remember and pray for those still fighting for our freedom. I hope that we never forget and pass on our patriotism to our children.